Joseph’s Dilemma

“But while he thought on things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:20-21

It was the custom in those ancient times for a bride to be selected for a young man by his father, mother, the father of the young woman, or a friend.  This was a formal proceeding documented by a legal representative or friend on the part of the bridegroom and by the parents of the bride.  It was confirmed by oaths, and gifts were presented to the bride.  It was binding in that it was like they were already married, but they hadn’t been intimate with one another.  Therefore, Mary was still a virgin when she became pregnant with the Son of God.  It was fitting that Jesus be born to a betrothed woman rather than one who was single.  Otherwise, people would have accused Jesus of being the child of a harlot.

By the time Mary returned from Elisabeth’s house, her pregnancy might have begun to show.  If not, then likely morning sickness, exhaustion, and her quiet mood would have given her away to those who were observant.  She was also likely apprehensive about her pregnancy and the fact that she was technically still single.  How could she prove that her baby was the Child of Almighty God?  However, she didn’t have to prove it.  She trusted God to protect and provide for her.  When God gives us a mission or task to fulfill, He will supply what is necessary to honor our commitment to Him.

We don’t know how Joseph found out about her pregnancy.  I suppose that she told him.  He was going to find out soon enough.  It would be better for him to hear it from her as she explained the angel’s message.  Did she worry that he wouldn’t believe her?  He must have been very shocked and disappointed.  He loved Mary.  He had wonderful plans for their life together, and now this.  He was a just man.  He knew the law which stated that if a betrothed virgin plays the harlot, that is, has sexual relations with another man, she and the other man were to be stoned to death (Deuteronomy 22:23-24).  Adultery and fornication were (and still are) serious offenses against one another and against God.  Joseph couldn’t let this happen to Mary.

Joseph had just about decided to quietly divorce Mary.  Because they were married in the eyes of the law, it would require a contract of divorce to dissolve the original contract.  He was carefully contemplating this action when he fell asleep.  (His sleep must have been supernaturally induced by God because to be under such pressure and anxiety would usually keep someone awake).  Joseph began to dream.  An angel, likely Gabriel, appeared to Joseph, calling him “son of David”, for, as mentioned in a recent blog, Joseph was a direct descendant of King David.  The angel told him to go ahead with the marriage ceremony because the Baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit, that He would be a Son, that His name would be JESUS, and He would be the Savior of the world, exactly what Mary had told him.  She was indeed going to give birth to the Messiah, the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy:  “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14), which means, “God with us”.

Joseph awoke from his dream, and he and Mary officially and likely before their parents “tied the knot”.  I would imagine that it was very private and not the celebration which normally lasted for days in that ancient time.  Marriage is a new experience for a young couple, and this was a marriage like no other.  They were going to be the parents, the biological mother and the adoptive father of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.  I am sure there were many days when they were apprehensive about the prospect of delivering not only a Baby after such a short time of marriage but delivering the Savior of the world as a newborn Baby.  They must have also had days of joy thinking about the Messiah, and what He would do for Israel and for all the world, and how God was allowing them to have a part in His plan for mankind.  Common thought at that time was that the Messiah would come and would set up His kingdom in Israel, ridding the Jewish people of Roman domination.  This is likely what Joseph and Mary were also thinking.  They were not privy at this time to the true mission of God’s Son.  That was a blessing to them.  Had they known how their Baby boy would one day die for the sins of the world, that would certainly have been a burden they would bear for over 30 years.

The weeks and months likely flew by as they anticipated the birth of JESUS.  Next time: The Road to Bethlehem